Pattern-control mechanism



Sept, 19, 1939. w. s. TANDLER ET AL PATTERN-CONTROL MEQHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 11, 193'? p 1939- w. s. TANDLER ET AL 2,173,48

PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 11, 1937 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 19, 1939. w. s. TANDLER ET-AL PATTERN-CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 11, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 U i I I IIIII l l l l ||||l|l llllllllll ITi c5 lNV B M QQMM M ATTORNEYS 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 11, 1937 w. s. TANDLER ET AL PATTERN-CONTROL MECHANISM Sept. 19, 1939.

Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PATTERN-CONTROL MECHANISM William S. Tandler, New York, and David Walker, .East Elmhurst, Long Island, N. Y., assignors to Leller Patent Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 11, 1937, Serial No. 163,346

31 Claims. (Cl. 669-50) control mechanism in the operation of.which a pattern sheet determines the order of actuation of the controlled elements, the sheet being scanned by scanning means, each controlling the operation of an electromechanical translating device by which the selection of the elements is effected' The control mechanism of the inven tion, in which the scanning is preferably carried on photoeiectrically, may be employed for controlling the operation of machines of various kinds, but since it offers special advantages when used in connection with knitting frames, an embodiment of the principles of the invention suitable for that purpose will be illustrated and described in detail by way of explanation. It is to be understood, however, and will be readily apparent, that the utility of the mechanism is not limited to that specific application.

In circular knitting frames of the usual conventional constructions, it is common practice,

when knitting a patterned fabric, to employ con- 'trol means in the form of trick wheels for controlling the action of the needles knitting stitches of the different threads. While such trick wheels are generally satisfactory, each such wheel issuitable for the reproduction of a single pattern frame. To avoid the expense in the use of trick wheels, it has been proposed to substitute pattern control mechanism therefor, one mechanism being used for each thread supply and each mechanism including a, pattern sheet and means for scanning the sheet and bringing needles into operation in accordance with the requirements of the pattern carried by the sheet. With con trol mechanisms of this type, the knitting frame may be shifted from the production of one fabric to another by substitution of appropriate pattern sheets, and the use of the mechanisms consequently efiects substantial-savings in time and cost.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a pattern mechanism of the kind referred to, which is especially adapted for use in controlling the operation of a machine in accordon the sheet, and each"scanner.controls an elecance with the requirements of a pattern containing areas of several different; kinds. Thus, when employed in connection'with fa knitting frame, the latter may be operated toproduce a patterned fabric in which the pattern is made up of design figures of-several different colors or stitches and a ground, and the control of the machine is carried on by means of a single pattern sheet instead of a sheet for each different thread supply. The use of a single pattern sheet for controlling the entire operation of the machine not only simplifies the control mechanism, but also makes possible substantial savings in the I cost of the equipment and also in the cost of operfor example, contrasting colors, .which are not necessarily the same as those in the pattern which is to appear in the final product. This sheet is scanned by photoelectric scanners which react differently to the different kinds of areas tromechanical selector by which the selection of the elementsof the machine which are to be actuated is effected. In an ordinary circular knit-: ting frame, threads from all supplies thereof are knitted simultaneously, and the number of scanners is, therefore, the same as the number, of different colored threads being knitted in the design. These scanners may contain cells of different kinds, or different light sources or filters may be used, or cells of the same kind may be employed in different circuits. With 'a flat bed knitting frame in which stitches of thread from one supply only are knitted at a time, a plurality of wholly in the copending application of Tandler, Serial 50 No.'163,345, filed September 11, 1937, since with that frame, the number of scanners required is one less than the. number of thread supplies to be controlled. For the same reasons, the mechanism may be advantageously employed in 0011- r nection with a fiat bed frame 'of the construction disclosed in the copending application of Ruinnet,

Serial No. 101,251, filed September 17, 1936. Embodiments of the invention suitable for use with the Tandler and Ruinnet frames are, accordingly, disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, with parts shown in section, illustrating one form of the new control mechanism employed in connection with a knitting frame of the Tandler type;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the knitting machine;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the knitting machine;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective showing the control mechanism employed incontrolling the operation of a flat bed knitting frame of the Ruinnet type;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the knitting machine shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view, partly, in elevation and partly in section, of a part of the control mechanism employed in the machine illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing other parts of the control mechanism employed in Figure- 4;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in perspective, of a modified form of the new control mechanism; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, of another modified form of the new mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus shown in Figure 1 includes a circular knitting frame of the Tandler type comprising a cylindrical needle bed having vertical slots in its cylindrical surface, in which are mounted a series of needles 2| and associated operating jacks 22 lying in alignment therewith. The jacks rest upon a support 23 on which the bed is also supported and the bed is rotated by means of a, girth gear 2l which encircles it andmeshes with a pinion 25 on a vertical drive shaft 26.

The support 23 is provided with a track 21 defined by upright flanges 21a, 21b and receiving the lower ends of the jacks, and in the rotation of the bed, the lower ends of all of the jacks move along the track 21 to the point 28 at which the fiange 21b is broken away to, provide an opening opposite which lies an electromechanical selecting device.

This device may take various forms, but in the construction shown, it includes an electroma net 30 provided with an armature 3| to which is attached a rod 32 encircled by a spring 33, the

spring bearing at one end against the under side of the armature and at the other against a fixed part of the device. The rod is provided with a head 34 which engages a fixed part of the device and limits the movement of the rod by the spring, and attached to the head is a vertical blade 35. The construction is such that upon energization of the electromagnet, the armature is attracted against the action of the spring and moves the blade 35 through the opening 28 to engage the jack which happens to lie-opposite the opening at that'moment. Any jack so engaged is shifted so thatits lower end passes into a track 36 defined by flanges 380,361), while the jacks,.which have not been shifted, enter a track 31 defined by flange 36b and flange 31a; Within the track 36 is a cam hump '38, and as the jacks are carried along by the rotation of the cylinder, those jacks whichhave been shifted-into the track 36 are raised by the camtoengage and elevate their associated needles sothat the latter take part in the knitting operation. As the jacks move down the cam, their. needles are restored to inoperative position by an appropriate cam not shown.

The selector 29 thus functions to segregate the jacks and needles into two groups, those which are to become operative in the knitting of stitches of thread from a particular supply, and those which remain inoperative. The jacks of the second group progress through the track 31 to the point 33, at which the outer flange 31a of the track is broken away to provide an opening opposite which is a second selector 40. Immediately ahead of the point 39, the track 36 shifts inwardly and an intermediate track II is formed. This track is defined in part by the flange 36b and in part by a flange a, and it contains a cam hump 42. At the point 39, the group of previously inoperative jacks is subdivided into two groups by the action of the selector 40, and the jacks which are to become operative are shifted into the track 4| where they ride up the 'cam hump so as to elevate their corresponding needles and cause them to take part in the knitting operation. When this action has been completed, the jacks continue along the track ll to the point 43 where the tracks 36 and ll merge, so that beyond this point, the jacks which have been raised by either cam 38 cream 42 move together along a single track 44. Beyond the point 43, the track 31 turns inward slightly to continue in alignment with the track 4| and it contains a cam 45 which raises the jacks so that they cause their associated needles to take part in the knitting. Beyond the cam 45, the tracks 31 and H merge and continue as track 21.

With the arrangement described, it will be apparent that as the jacks are moved successively into registry with the first selector 29, the latter 'may be operated to select the jacks of the needles which are to knit stitches of a particular thread, and the selector acts to segregate the jacks into two groups, those which are to be active, and all the remaining jacks. The jacks of the second group are then presented successively to the second selector 40 where they are subdivided into two groups, the first of which contains the jacks which actuate the needles which are to knit stitches of thesecond thread. The remaining jacks, which have not been acted on by'either of the selectors, are then all raised .by the cam and the needles of these jacks knit stitches of the third thread, which is the ground of the Pattern. f The control of the selectors 29 and 40 for the purpose referred to is accomplished by means of a single pattern sheet, the details of the control mechanism being illustrated in Figure I. mechanism includes a frame comprising upper and lower plates 46a, 4617, supported in any suitable way and provided with'bearings for a vertical drive shaft 41 carrying a gear 48 meshing with a pinion 49 on the drive shaft 26. The shaft is driven at the same rate of rotation as the needle -'bed 20, and it carries a drum 50 on which'is mounted a pattern sheet 5| carrying a representa- -tion of the pattern to be reproduced in. the fabric.

The pattern is scanned by two scanning devices which are disposed in the same angular relation with reference to the drum, as the selectors in relation to the needle bed. As illustrated in Figure 2, the selectors are approximately 120 apart 46a, 43b, the screws being of opposite pitch and-"'- The driven in opposite directions. For this purpose,

each screw is provided with a worm gear 54 at its upper end, and the gears are engaged on opposite sides by worms 55 on a shaft 56 which extends through and is supported in bearings in a housing 51 mounted on top of the plate 48a. Within the housing, the shaft 58 is provided with a pair of bevel gears 58a, 581), which gears are held against movement lengthwise of the shaft but are loose thereon, the gears being in constant mesh with a bevel gear 59 on a vertical shaft 88 mounted in suitable bearings in the top of the housing. The shaft 88 is driven from the shaft 41 by sprocket wheels 8 l 82 on the respective shafts, and a chain 63.

The bevel gears 58a, 58b are provided with clutch members on their opposed faces, and

splined to the shaft 56 between the gears is a cooperating clutch member 64, which is illustrated as engaged with the clutch member of gear 58a. The clutch member- 84 is engaged by one arm 65 of a bell crank pivoted in a bracket 66 depending from the plate 46a, and by rocking the bell crank, the clutch member 64 may be shifted to engage the clutch member of gear 58b. When the clutch member 54 is engaged with the cooperating clutch member of avgear, that gear is held against rotation relative to shaft 55 so that it drives the shaft and the screws 53a, 53b in one direction; and when clutch member 84 is shifted, the direction of rotation of the screws is reversed. The carriage 521s provided with nuts 81 engaging the screws, and the carriage is raised or lowered, depending upon the direction in which the screws rotate.

Within each carriage 52 is a light source 68 which directs a beam through a passage 69 upon the surface of the pattern sheet, and the beam is reflected from the pattern through a passage III to a photoelectric cell II. The cells of the two carriages are in circuit through lines 12 with amplifiers 13a, 131), respectively, and current is supplied to the amplifiers from a source through lines 14. The amplifiers supply current through lines 15a, 15b to the selectors 29 and 48, respectively, and the electrical connections are such that amplified current is supplied to each of the selectors in accordance with the reaction of "its associated photoelectric cell to the control. areas on the pattern sheet.

The pattern sheet carries a representation of the pattern made up of difierent kinds, for example, contrasting colors, which, of course, need not be the same as those in the fabric, but must, however, be such as to make it possible to obtain different reactions from the cells. Thus, for example, the circular figure 16 in the pattern may be grey, the triangular figure Tl green, and

the background 18 black.'. In that case, current will flow throughthe photoelectric cell of the scanner for the selector 28 when the beam of the scanner strikes a grey area, and current rotates "while the carriages move down,- for -ex-' ample, current may be supplied to the selector '2! whenever the'photoelectric cell of its scanner receives light reflected from the spot I5, and each time the electromagnet of the selector is energized, itsblade inoves inward to shift any jack in front of it. If the spot I8 is of'substan-' tial ,size,.the electromagnet of the selector may remain energized while several jacks are passing in front of its blade, in which case the blade remains in its inner position and shifts the jacks inward by cam action. At the same time, the selector 48 is receiving energy throughout the period that the photoelectric cell of its scanner is receiving light reflected from figures 16 and 11, but since certain of the jacks have previously been shifted out of cooperative relation with the selector 48 by the action of the first selector, selector 48 acts merely to shift the jacks of needles which areto take part in the knitting of the area 11 lying outside the area 16. Both selectors are idle while their scanners are scanning the background 18.

As the carriages 52 approach the. lower end of their path of travel, they engage adjustment screws 19 mounted in levers 88 pivoted on brackets 81 extending upward from the lower plate 45b. Each lever is connected by a rod 82 to one arm of a bellcrank B5, and when the leversare swung to the proper extent, they swing the bell cranks and thereby shift the clutch members 64 so as to reverse the direction of rotation of screws 53a, 58b. The carriages then move upward until they strike the adjustment screws 83 in the arms of bell crank levers 65 and restore the clutch members 64 to their initial position, in which they connect gears 58a. to their shafts 56 and drive the carriage down again. This automatic reversal of the carriages may be omitted if desired, in which event, the frame is stopped and the carriages restored-manually to initial position when the sheet has been scanned along a helical track from top to bottom or'vice versa.

which is of the Tandler-construction, the number of selectors, each controlled by its own scanher, is one less than the number of diiferent thread supplies in each group, and the scanners are so constructed that their photoelectric cells react differently to light reflected from the differentkinds of areas on the pattern sheet. In an ordinary circular knitting frame, it is necessary to employ as many selectors and scanners as there are different thread supplies in a group, and the scanners are equipped with cells of different types or other expedients are employed to obtain differences in reaction relative to the different kinds of areas on the pattern sheet.

In a flat bed knitting frame, in which the needles knit a row of stitches first of one color and then of another, separate scanning means, one for each color and .each complete in itself,

may be employed, but preferably, the several scanners make use of a single cell and means are provided to vary the reaction of the cell depending on the kind of thread, the knitting of which is being controlled at a given time. With a Ruinnet fiat bed frame, one less scanner may be used than the number'of different threads being supplied to the needles..

A control mechanismsuitable for use with a frame of the Ruinnet type-is illustrated in Figures 4 to 8,, inclusive, and this frame includes a needle bed 84 on which needles 85 with corresponding jacks 86 are mounted in parallel slots,

88. Each lever has a tall, which extends out beyond the rear edges of the plates 88, and means are provided for shifting the levers selectively to positions in" which their forward ends 9I lie in alignment with associated jacks. When the levers have been thus selectively positioned, the bar 81 is moved toward the needle bed and the selected levers engage their associated jacks and move them and their related needles to a position in which the needles take part in the knitting operation.

' The selecting mechanism includes a carriage 92 in the form of a housing mounted on the bar 81 and movable lengthwise thereof by a rod 93 con nected to a block 94 which is m unted for reciprocating movement on a bar 5. The block is connected by an arm 96 to a chain 91 trained abcut sprocket wheels 98a, 98b which are driven in timed relation to the operation of the frame.

Within the housing 92 is a. selecting device which includes an electromagnet 99, the armature I00 of which has the form of a lever pivoted at IOI and having an end I00a lying adjacent to the electromagnet. The other end I00b of the lever is provided with a stud I02, and'a spring I03, connected to the housing and to the lever adja cent the end I00b, holds the lever in a position in which its end I00a lies remote from the electromagnet. The tails of the levers 89 lie in such position that as the housing 90 is moved along the bar 81, the rocking of lever I00 upon energization of the electromagnet 99 will cause the stud I02 to strike the tail of any lever 89 which lies beneath I the stud at the moment of energizationand shift the tail downward. If the stud is in downward position as it moves into contact with a tall, the tail will be moved down by the cam action of the stud.

The housing 92 is provided with a vertical partition I04 on which are mounted a pair of cams I05a, I05b, and these cams have opposed slop- .ing faces at their ends.' As the housing advances,

the tail of any lever which is engaged by the stud I02 and shifted downward is engaged by one of the opposing surfaces of the cams and is moved: down until the tail lies in a row I06.

At the beginning of operation of the frame, the levers 89 are all in a position in which their tails 90 .lie at the top of the plates 88, and after the first traverse of the housing 92, certain of the levers will have been shifted so that their tails lie in the row I06. Upon movement of the bar ,8! toward the needle bed, the shifted levers engage their associated jacks and move the jacks and their related needles so as to cause the needles to take part in the knitting of stitches of thread from one supply. When the row of stitches has been completed, the housing 92 starts back along bar 81, and during this movement, the tails of levers whose needles have previously been active are moved to inactive position, and the levers of the desired needles of the previously inactive group are shifted so that their tails liein the line I06. Tomove the previously selected levers out of the line I06, the partition I04 carries a double cam I0'I which engages the tails of all levers in the row I06 a-ncLmoves them to a lower row I08. The *front ends 9I of levers whose tails are in the line I08 lie above their associated jacks so that they will not engage the jacks .when the bar 81 is shifted toward the needle bed.-

During the second traverse of bar 81 by the housing 92, a selection is made of the. needles which are to take part in the knitting of stitchesof the second color, and after this row of stitches two previous selecting operations are now en-,

gaged by stud I02 of the selecting device, actuated as will be later described, and their tails forced into the line I06, while the levers whose needles knitted the second color are shifted into the line I98. At the completion of the row of ground stitches, all the levers must be, restored to their initial position, and for this purpose, a pair of cams I09a, I09b are provided.

Each of the cams I09a, I09b is mounted on the end of a bell crank pivoted on the housing at H0, and one arm of each bell crank is acted on by a spring I I I so as to swing the cam away from an opening through the partition I04. When the bell crank of either cam is swung clockwise (Figure 8) against the action of its spring, the cam extends through the opening, and when in this position, the cam is effective to engage the tails of levers in the rows I06, I08 and restore these levers to their initial position. The apparatus illustrated is appropriate for the knitting of afabrlc containing two colors in the design plus a ground color, so that one or the other cams I09a, I09b comes into action each time the carriage 92 has made three traverses of the bar 81, corresponding to the knitting of three rows of stitches.

To avoid the necessity of having the carriage 92 traverse the group of levers 89 for restoration purposes only, that one of the cams I09a, I09b which lies in advance of the stud I02 inthe direction of movement of the carriage 92 is brought into action when the carriage is making a traverse in connection with the selecting operation for the first color. To bring the cams into operation in this manner, a ratchet wheell I2 for each cam is mounted on a stud II3 threaded into a wall of housing 92, and this wheel is'engaged by a spring pressed pawl II4 mounted on a plate II5 having a slot II6 through which the studs I I3 pass. The plate extends out beyond. the ends of the housing and is provided at its ends with adjustment screws Ill, and as the carriage 92 advances to the end of its movement in either direction, one or the other of the adjustment screws strikes a fixed part of the frame and shifts the plate 'I I5., During the movement of the plate to the left (Figure IN, the pawls II 4 carried by the plate advance their ratchet wheels II2 by one tooth. Each ratchet wheel-is provided with a cam projection I18 on its inner face, the cam projections of the two ratchet wheels being apart, and each projection is arranged to engage a lug I I9 attached to the bell crank of a cam I09a,

I09b. When a projection engages the lug of' its associated cam, the 'cam is moved to its operative position in which its end extends through the opening in the partition I04, and in this position, the cam engages the tails of all levers in the lines I06, I08 and restores these levers to their Bycarriage 92.

The supply of current to the electromagnet 99 is controlled by a pattern sheet I20 bearing a representation of the pattern to be reproduced in areas of different kinds, such as in contrasting colors, and-the sheet illustrated carries a pattern including a circular figure I2I which may be grey, a-

rectangular figure I22 which may be green, and a background I23 which may be black. The sheet is mounted on a roller I24 which is advanced with a stepwise rotation, one step for each three trav- -erses of the carriage 92, and the pattern is scanned by a scanning mechanism which includes a housing I25 mounted on .block 94 and movable across the pattern sheet in synchronism with the housing 92. l

The scanning mechanism includes a source of light I26 within the housing I25 and directing a beam upon the surface of the sheet, and the beam reflected from the sheet strikes a photoelectric cell I2'I. Three different electric circuits including the cell are provided, and these circuits plus the cell and source of light may be considered as constituting three different scanning means. The circuits have diiferent constants such that when the cell is in one circuit it will react to grey, when the cell is in the second circuit, it will react to both grey and green, and when the cell is in the third circuit there is no reaction of the cell to any of the colors.

.Thejcellis connected in series with a source of current I28 and a resistor I29, the one terminal I29a of which is connected to the grid of an amplifier tube I30. The cathode of the tube is connected to the positive terminal of a source of potential here shown as made up of three batteries I3Ia, I 3I b, and I3Ic, connected in series. Corresponding terminals of these batteries are connected,'respectively, to contacts I32a, I32b, I320, of a switch I32 having a moving contact arm I33,

the arm being connected to the terminal I29b of the resistor. The grid-cathode voltage of the tube consists of the algebraic sum of the voltage drop across resistor I29, which constitutes the signal input to the tube, and the voltage between the positive terminal of battery I 3 In and the mov-, ing contact arm I33. The value 'of the gridcathode voltage, therefore, depends on. which of the stationary contacts, the arm engages at a particular time.

The plate of tube I30 is connected through a resistor I34 to the positive terminal of a source I 35, the negative terminal of which is connected to the positive terminal of battery I3 Ia and to the cathode of the tube. The grid of a second amplifier tube I36 is connected to one terminal of resistor I34 and to the plate of tube I30 and the cathode of tube I36 is connected to the other terminal of resistor I34, the positive terminal of source I35, and the negative terminal of a source I3I. The positive terminal of source I3! is connected through electromagnet 99 to the plate of tube I36.

In the operation of the scanning mechanism in connection with a pattern sheet having control areas thereon of three differentkinds, such as three differentcolors, the photoelectric cell current has one or another ,of three different values depending upon the control area being scanned at a particular instant. Similarly, the voltage across resistor I29, which constitutes the signal input to the amplifier tube I30, has three different values which may be considered to correspond to the respective colors on the pattern sheet. The effect of these voltages on the selector depends upon the setting of the switch I32; thus, if the three voltflow through the tube when control areas of the first color are being scanned, but will fiow when the areas are of the second and third colors. If

the arm I33 is engaged with contact I32b and battery I3Ib has a voltage of 1, the total countervoltage applied by the batteries I3 Ia, I 3lb will be -3, and the grid-cathode potentials will then be -'-2, --1, and 0. In this case, current will flow through the tube only when the third color is being scanned. If the arm I33 is engaged with contact I320 and the battery I3 Ic has a voltage of 1, the total counter-voltage applied by the three batteries will be -4, and in that case, no current will flow through the tube I30.

Plate current of tube I30 passing through resistor I34 will make the grid of tube I36 sufliciently negative to cut off its plate current.

Therefore, tube I36 only supplies current to electromagnet 99 when no current is flowing through tube I30. When switch arm I33 is engaged with contact I 32a, current will fiow through tube I30 while the second and third colors are being scanned but on the first color, tube I30 will be cut off. Accordingly, tube I36 which is biased by tube I30 passes current energizing electromagnet 99 only when the first color is scanned. And similarly when the switch arm is engaged with contact I32b, the electromagnet will be energized when control areas of the first and second colors are being scanned. When the arm I33 is on contact I320, no current flows through tube I30 and the electromagnet receives current continuously from tube I36.

With the Ruinnet frame, the levers 89 associated with the needles which are to knit stitches of the first color are moved out of operative position by cam action just prior to the operation of selecting the needles to knit stitches of the second color. Accordingly, although in the second selecting operation, the selector is energized to select levers of needles for knitting stitches of both the first and second colors, the selector is effective only with respect to the levers of needles to knit the second tween successive traverses of the pattern sheet for scanning purposes.

As previously pointed out, the differences in 'the reaction of the scanning means to the different kinds of control areas on the pattern sheet may be obtained by the use of photoelectric cells of different characteristics, or byusing the same kind of cells in different circuits. Another expedient that may be employed for' the purpose involves the use of light beams of different kinds, and such differences in the beams may be obtained either by using light sources of difi'erent kinds or by employing light filters of different kinds. A scanning mechanism in which filters are used is illustrated in Figure 9, this mechanism being of a form suitable for use in a flat bed knitting frame.

The mechanism illustrated in Figure'9 includes a drum I38 on which is mounted a pattern sheet I39 bearing a representation of a pattern having a background of one kind, figures, such as the which-a beam is directed through a passage I45,

upon the sheet, and rays reflected from the sheet pass through passages I46 containing different light filters I 41a, I41b, respectively, to photoelec-r tric cells I46, I49. Simiiar elements of the cells are connected in parallel through a line I50to an amplifier I5I supplied with current through power lines I52, and the other elements of the cells are connected, respectively, to stationary contacts I53a, l53b of a switch which includes a blank contact I53c and a movable contact arm I54. Amplified current is supplied from the amplifier through lines I55 to the electromagnet I56 of a selecting device similar to that employed in the control mechanism illustrated in Figures 4 to 8, inclusive. This selecting mechanism includes an armaturein the form of a lever I51 pivoted at I58, one end of the armature'lying adjacent to the electromagnet while the other end is acted on by a spring I59 and carries a stud I60.

The movable arm I54 of the switch is mounted on a shaft I6I having a gear I62 meshing with a gear I63 on a shaft I64, provided with a ratchet wheel I65, the shaft I64 being mounted in a suitable support I66 attached to the carriage I42. A pair of pawls I61a, I61b are mounted on the fixedpart of the knitting frame in position to engage the ratchet wheel I65, and at the end of each traverse of the carriage I421 relative to the pattern sheet, the ratchet wheel I65. is engaged by one or the other of the'pawls and advanced one tooth. This causes the arm I54 to shift from one of the contacts I53a, I53b, I53c to the next.

In the operation of the device, as the carriage I42 starts at-one edge of the pattern sheet, the arm I 54 is engaged with one of the stationary contacts, for example, contact I53a.' The cell I48 is then connected to the amplifier, and the cell current, which varies in accordance with the control areas being scanned, operates through the amplifier to actuate the selecting mechanism. At the end of the first'traverse of the pattern sheet by the scanning mechanism, the arm I54 is shifted to the next contact, for example, contact I531); and during the second traverse of the sheet by the scanning mechanism, the cell I49 is in operation. At the end of the second traverse, the arm I54 is shifted to the blank contact and both cells are out of operation.

In the different forms of pattern control mechanism above described, the photoelectric cells react to light reflected from diiferent kinds of areas on the pattern sheet and the differences in the control areas may be obtained by making the areas of different color or by giving them different reflection factors in some other way. Thus, for the latter purpose, the sheet maybe of metal having areas which are oxidized, polished, and sand-blasted, respectively, so that the three different kinds of areas reflect light with different degrees of emciency. Instead of employing a pattern sheet which reflects light, the desired effects may be obtained with a sheet through which i ht is transmitted with different intensities for the dinerent areas A controlmechanism suitable for use in connection with a light transmitting pattern sheet is illustrated in Figure 10 and it consists of a drum I68 of transparent material carried by a circular support I69 attached to a shaft I10. Mounted on the surface of the drum is a transparent pattern sheet I" bearing a representation of the design in which the different colors in the figures and background are represented by appropriately shaped areas of coloring matter of different light transmitting power.

Mounted adjacent the drum is a scanning mechanism which includes a housing I12 which is moved lengthwise of the drum, and within this housing is a photoelectric cell I13, which receives light through a passage I14, the light entering the passage being that which has been emitted by a source I 15 and has passedthrough the drum and pattern sheet. The source I 15 is mounted on a support I16 which. extends into the open end of the drum and is attached to the housing I12. The cell is connected in the usual way to an amplifier I11 which supplies current in accordpattern having control areas of several different kinds thereon, and the mechanism includes a plurality of scanning means which scan the pattern along a single track. In the case of a pattern mechanism employed with a circular knitting frame, the several scanning means operate simultaneously, and scan the pattern along a single helical track. With a fiat bed frame, the different scanning means operate at different times, but in a cycle in which all the means operate, the sheet is at rest and all the means scan the same straight track on the sheet. Accordingly, the new control mechanism permits the use of a sheet which carries arepresentation of the pattern which maybe an actual facsimile of the pattern to be produced on the final product, at least with respect to the shape of the design areas thereon. The preparation of a pattern sheet for the new mechanism'is, therefore, a simple operation, since it is not necessary to magnify, distort,'or otherwise alter the pattern as it appears on the sheet in order to effect the desired control of the machine. Preferably, the same colors are employed on the sheet regardless of those to appear in the product of the controlled machine, -and this further facilitates the use of the control mechanism.

When usedwith ordinary machines, such as circular and fiat bed knitting frames of conventional construction, or with looms, the control mechanism will include a scanning means for each of the diiferent kinds of control area on the pattern sheet. Since the .Tandler and Ruinnet knitting frames permit the same control to be achieved by the use of one less scanning means than the number of colors in the pattern on the fabric, those frames are preferably employed with the new control mechanism. The utlility of the mechanism is not limited, however, to its use in connection with any particular machine, and, similarly, the two knitting frames are not dependent for their use upon control mechanism of the construction herein disclosed. While the apparatus of the invention has been described principally in connection with the control of a knitting frame producing a patterned fabric containing threads of differentlcolors, it is to be understood and will be readily apparent that it may also be. used in controlling the production of a fabric in which the pattern is formed by knitting stitches of different types. In both cases, the new apparatus determines which of the needles will take part in the knitting of the thread from a particular feed, and the selection of the needles is under the control of a pattern scanned by the means described.

We claim:

1. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comp-rising a pattern sheet having a single pattern track made up of control areas of diiferent kinds, a plurality of scanning means scanning said track successively, said means reacting differently to the difierent kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

2. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet having a single pattern track made up of control areas of difierent kinds, a plurality of scanning means scanning said .track successively, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas,

means for segregating the elements into groups,

areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for separating the elements into groups,

one for each color of the control areas.

4. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet having a single pattern track made up of control areas of different color, a plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning said track successively,,said means reacting difierently to the different kinds of control areas, means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area, said means including an electromechanical translating device, and means controlled by the scanning means for supplying current to the device to actuate the latter.

5. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet having a single pattern track made up of control areas of difierent kinds, a plurality of scanning means scanning said track successively, said means reacting dif- I nection with a machine having a plurality of nism comprising a pattern sheet having a single I I pattern track made up of control areas of difmeans scanning said track successively, said means reacting differently to the different kinds,

of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for shifting the elements between operative and inoperative positions and thereby segregating them into groups, one for each kind,of control area.

7. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with, a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of difierent kinds, a plurality of scanning means, one less in number than the number of kinds of control areas on the sheet, said means scanning the sheet successively and'reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of. control area.

8. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of difierent kinds, a plurality of scanning means, one less in number than the number of kinds of control areas on the sheet, said means scanning the sheet successively and reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area, said means including an electromechanical translating device, and means controlled by said scanning means for supplying current to said device toactuate it.

9. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of diiferent'kinds, a plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning saidsheet successively, said means reacting differently tothe ferent color, a, plurality of photoelectric scanning difierent kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind oi. control area.

10. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different light reflecting power, a plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning said sheet successively, said means reactingadifferently to light reflected from the difierent kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

11. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a pluralityof elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing-control areas of different kinds arranged in a single track, a plurality of scanning means scanning said track simultaneously at successive points along it, said means reacting diiferently to the difierent kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of.

control area.

12. A pattern control mechanism -for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds arranged in a single track, a plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning said track simultaneously at successive points along it, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area.

13. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds arranged in a track, a plurality of scanning means scanning the track simultaneously at different points along it, said means being one less in number than the number of different kinds, of control areas and reacting difierentlyto the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of. control area.

14. A pattern controLmechanism for usein controlling the operation of a knitting frame containing a plurality of needles and control elements therefor arranged in a circular series, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet of cylindrical form bearing control areas of different kinds arranged thereon to form a track, a plurality of scanning means simultaneously scanning the track at different points along it, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area, said means including a plurality of selecting devices disposed in spaced relation relative to the circular series of needles, the angular spacing of the scanning means with reference to the pattern sheet being' the same as the angular spacing of. the selecting devices with reference to the needles.

15. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a knitting machine having a plurality of needles arranged in a circular series for rotary movement, said mechanism comprising a cylindrical pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds arranged to form a track,- a plurality of scanning means scanning the track simultaneously at points spaced along it, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area, said means including a plurality of selecting devices, each controlled by a scanning means, and said devices having an angular spacing with reference to the series of needles which is the same as the angular spacing of the scanning means with reference to the pattern sheet, and means for rotating the pattern sheet and series of needles in synchronism.'

16. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet made up of control areas of at least three different kinds arranged in a track,"ta plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning s'aid track successively,

the 'number of said scanning means being one.

less than the numberof different kinds of control areas, and said scanning means reacting dife ferently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area.

.. 1'7. A pattern control. mechanism for in connection with a knitting frame having a plurality of needles and actuating elements therefor arranged in a circular series, said mechanism including a pattern sheet having a single pattern-track made up of control areas having at least three different light reflecting powers, a plurality of photoelectric scanning means scanning said track simultaneously at difierent points along it, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, the number of said means being one less'than the number of different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

18. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet successively and containing photoelectric cells, means for causing light beams 'to be directed from said areas upon said cells, the latter reacting differently to the beam from the different areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area. 19. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet successively, said means including photoelectric cells, and a plurality of diiferent light sources causing light beams of different kinds to be directed upon said areas and thence upon said cells, said cells reacting differently to the light from the different areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one group for each kind of control area.

20. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas ofdifferent kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet successively, said means including photoelectric cells and means of different kinds associated'with the respective cells for directing light beams upon the pattern sheet to be reflected to said cells,saidcells reacting differently to the beams from different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

21. A;pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a'- machine having a plurality of elements to be selectivelyectuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means. scanning said sheet successively, said means in.-v

cluding photoelectric cells, means for directing a light beam upon said sheet to be reflected to said cells; and a color filter through which the beam for each cell passes, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of conof control areas and each means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell, said circuits having different constants whereby the cells are of different sensitivity, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements intogroups, one for each kind ofcontrol area.

23. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of diiferent kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet successively, said scanning means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, each means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell, said circuits having-different constants whereby the cells are of different sensitivity, an amplifier tube controlled by said circuits, and means receiving current from the amplifier tube for segregating. the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

24. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet made up of control areas of diiferent kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet one at a time in succession, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

25. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds arranged in a single track, a plurality of scanning means reacting differently to the different kinds of areas, said means scanning the sheet one at a time in sequence, the number of scanning means being one less than the number of kinds of control areas, and means controlled by the scanning means to segregate the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

26. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet made up of control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means scanning said sheet one at a time in sequence, said means reacting differently to the different kinds of control areas, each means including a photoelectric cell, and a source of light for directing a beam upon said sheet, and

therefrom upon the several cells, and means controlled by the scanning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

27. A control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of eletential thereof in accordance with variations in the light from said areas, and electrical means controlled by the tube and operating to segregate the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area. I

'28. A control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a source of light directed-upon the sheet, an amplifier tube, a plurality of means responsive to light from the areas on the sheet, each means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell, the circuits being connected to the tube and varying the grid-cathode potential thereof in accordance with variations in the light from said areas, a second tube connectedto the first tube, the output of the second tube being controlled by the first tube, and electrical means controlled by the second tube and operating to segregate the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

29. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means for scanning said sheet, each scanning means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell, the circuits having different constants whereby the scanning means are of different sensitivity and react differently to the different kinds of control areas, and means controlled by thescan ning means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

30. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet bearing control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means for scanning said sheet, each means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell; the circuits having diiferent constants whereby the scanning means are of different sensitivity and react differently to the differentkinds of control areas, means for amplifying the current flowing through said circuits, and means for receiving current from the amplifying means for segregating the elements into groups, one for each kind of control area.

31. A pattern control mechanism for use in connection with a machine having a plurality of elements to be selectively actuated, said mechanism comprising a pattern sheet made up of control areas of different kinds, a plurality of means for scanning said sheet, each means including a circuit containing a photoelectric cell, an amplifier tube, and means for impressing'a gridcathode potential on the tube, said means in the different circuits impressing different potentials whereby the several scanning means react differently to light reflected from the pattern sheet, and electrical means controlled by the tube and operating to segregate the elements into difierent groups. WILLIAM S. TANDLER. DAVID WALKER. 

